Tyler Kish, 8, makes a wreath at the arts and crafts table during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012.

(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

December 22, 2012, 10:24PM

12/22/2012

Kenny Lambert kept on his knit hat but shed his shoes and socks Saturday, rolled up his pant legs and settled into a chair to soak his feet in a warm foot bath, one of several lined up in a corner of Grace Pavilion at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

His jacket and backpack lay nearby, evidence of a life on the road that led him from the Pacific Northwest to Santa Rosa five days earlier, unaware he'd be receiving soothing foot care from a complete stranger within the week.

But it was, he said, an "awesome" luxury to be treated to the services available Saturday as part of the annual celebration and feast hosted by the Redwood Gospel Mission and Salvation Army at the fairgrounds.

Christmas Celebration

Julia Gamino, center, walks out of the Sonoma County Fairgrounds holding presents with her kids from left to right, Juna Sarafin, 4, Joshua Sarafin, 7 months, and Alendra Sarafin, 7, Saturday, December 22, 2012. Redwood Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army sponsored a Christmas Celebration at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

Lakota Sims, 13, loads holiday dinner boxes for The Salvation Army during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012. Sims has been volunteering for the event for the last 3 years.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

Evelyn Mejia, 5, makes a wreath at the arts and crafts table during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

A holiday dinner was served during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

Juna Sarafin, 4, carries the present she received during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

Volunteer David Hernandez, right, helps from left, Marisol Valencia, Max Sanchez, 20 months and Jose Sanchez during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012. The family received a holiday dinner, presents and a free Christmas tree.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

Maryfer, Picazo, 11, Lizet Barrera, 8, center and Fernando Picazo, 5, right, play with Gabriella Barrera during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

Tyler Kish, 8, makes a wreath at the arts and crafts table during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

Jose Romero, 5 months, has his photo taken with Santa Claus during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

A holiday dinner was served during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

Kevin Dzul, 3, enjoys dinner during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012. Dzul gave the meal a thumbs up.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

Many volunteers helped to give coats away during the Christmas Celebration held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, December 22, 2012.
(Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)

"They have stuff like this in Tacoma and Seattle," said Lambert, 30. "But it's nothing like this."

Around the cavernous building, hundreds of people in need lined up for services that might otherwise be beyond reach — haircuts, warm coats, pictures with Santa, Christmas trees, bags of presents, boxed food — all provided by volunteers eager to serve.

Saul Urbano, a Santa Rosa man who came with his wife and two daughters, said it was like many blessings all at once.

"The environment is awesome," said Monica Briceno, 28, also of Santa Rosa. "Everybody treats you with kindness and respect."

Stations around the building included face painting and a jumpy house for kids; clothing racks with 1,000 donated coats and jackets for all comers; an area where St. Joseph's Health personnel offered free blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screening, as well as flu shots and referrals for free or affordable follow-up care when problems are detected.

"Unfortunately, lot of people have abnormal results," said Jackie Williams, a supervisor with the St. Joseph's Mobile Health Clinic.

Frank Rundle, 74, enjoyed getting a free haircut and beard trim, as well as heavy coat to help keep him warm.

Eleven hundred families who registered in advance received sacks of toys bought especially for the children in their homes, as well as food boxes with roasting chickens and the fixings for traditional Christmas meals, courtesy of the Salvation Army.

In a separate building, volunteers served up 3,000 turkey dinners.

"It's wonderful," said Nina Gonzalez, whose 8-month-old baby bounced in her arms, "because we don't have a lot of money this year. We got toys for the baby."

Moses Scott, 52, and his brother, Peter Scott, 50, said it was nice just to get in some place warm and enjoy a hot meal.

"It's the best thing to have right now," the younger brother said. "It's cold out."

Larry Frakes of Sonoma, whose wife Barbara has coordinated donations and distribution of coats for the past four years, said the event's growth and the loyalty of volunteers has been "just amazing."

"It's a huge, huge project," said Sammie Williams, a retired hairdresser who has volunteered at the event for about a decade. "I don't know how they do it all."

Kenny Lambert kept on his knit hat but shed his shoes and socks Saturday, rolled up his pant legs and settled into a chair to soak his feet in a warm foot bath, one of several lined up in a corner of Grace Pavilion at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

His jacket and backpack lay nearby, evidence of a life on the road that led him from the Pacific Northwest to Santa Rosa five days earlier, unaware he'd be receiving soothing foot care from a complete stranger within the week.

But it was, he said, an "awesome" luxury to be treated to the services available Saturday as part of the annual celebration and feast hosted by the Redwood Gospel Mission and Salvation Army at the fairgrounds.

"They have stuff like this in Tacoma and Seattle," said Lambert, 30. "But it's nothing like this."

Around the cavernous building, hundreds of people in need lined up for services that might otherwise be beyond reach — haircuts, warm coats, pictures with Santa, Christmas trees, bags of presents, boxed food — all provided by volunteers eager to serve.

Saul Urbano, a Santa Rosa man who came with his wife and two daughters, said it was like many blessings all at once.

"The environment is awesome," said Monica Briceno, 28, also of Santa Rosa. "Everybody treats you with kindness and respect."

Stations around the building included face painting and a jumpy house for kids; clothing racks with 1,000 donated coats and jackets for all comers; an area where St. Joseph's Health personnel offered free blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screening, as well as flu shots and referrals for free or affordable follow-up care when problems are detected.

"Unfortunately, lot of people have abnormal results," said Jackie Williams, a supervisor with the St. Joseph's Mobile Health Clinic.

Frank Rundle, 74, enjoyed getting a free haircut and beard trim, as well as heavy coat to help keep him warm.

Eleven hundred families who registered in advance received sacks of toys bought especially for the children in their homes, as well as food boxes with roasting chickens and the fixings for traditional Christmas meals, courtesy of the Salvation Army.

In a separate building, volunteers served up 3,000 turkey dinners.

"It's wonderful," said Nina Gonzalez, whose 8-month-old baby bounced in her arms, "because we don't have a lot of money this year. We got toys for the baby."

Moses Scott, 52, and his brother, Peter Scott, 50, said it was nice just to get in some place warm and enjoy a hot meal.

"It's the best thing to have right now," the younger brother said. "It's cold out."

Larry Frakes of Sonoma, whose wife Barbara has coordinated donations and distribution of coats for the past four years, said the event's growth and the loyalty of volunteers has been "just amazing."

"It's a huge, huge project," said Sammie Williams, a retired hairdresser who has volunteered at the event for about a decade. "I don't know how they do it all."